Old wooden boats
#2
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 418
Likes: 54
From: Crosslake, MN
I own a 1939 Chris Craft 19' Barrelback - biggest thing is to make sure the bottom has been replaced ( otherwise they leak or are rotted ) and then how does the overall boat look ( does it need varnish ). Honestly, I'd get someone involved who knows this stuff - they can be a real money pit.
MDS
MDS
#3
I own a 1939 Chris Craft 19' Barrelback - biggest thing is to make sure the bottom has been replaced ( otherwise they leak or are rotted ) and then how does the overall boat look ( does it need varnish ). Honestly, I'd get someone involved who knows this stuff - they can be a real money pit.
MDS
MDS
#4
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 418
Likes: 54
From: Crosslake, MN
MDS
#5
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7,311
Likes: 1,817
From: Merritt Island, FL
In my teen we restored a 39 Century (Learned to ski behind it) and then a 63 Century.
If they are not kept in the water they will leak, we used to fill them with water since they were kept on a lift. I think they are some of the most beautiful boats on the water but a LOT of work.
I think there is a wooden boat show coming up at LOTO soon?
If they are not kept in the water they will leak, we used to fill them with water since they were kept on a lift. I think they are some of the most beautiful boats on the water but a LOT of work.
I think there is a wooden boat show coming up at LOTO soon?
#6
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 418
Likes: 54
From: Crosslake, MN
I should add, I think it's much easier to buy a fully restored boat.
Check out www.freedomboatservice.com as an example of what stuff costs. I know Dave ( the owner ).
MDS
Check out www.freedomboatservice.com as an example of what stuff costs. I know Dave ( the owner ).
MDS
#7
EDIT: Mike I sent you a pm
Last edited by F-2 Speedy; 05-15-2024 at 03:58 PM.
#8
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Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,941
Likes: 526
Heres some light reading, with alotta pictures. Agree about being way up there on the looks.
serious craftsmanship and artistry involved.
https://correctcraftfan.com/forum/fo...an-restoration
See how nice it looks in the first few pics.
serious craftsmanship and artistry involved.
https://correctcraftfan.com/forum/fo...an-restoration
See how nice it looks in the first few pics.
Last edited by outonsafari; 05-15-2024 at 04:07 PM.
#10
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 4,788
Likes: 1,376
From: naples,florida
I’ve always been a fan of old Chris crafts after helping out when I was a kid rebuilding them with some old retired factories workers.
A few years back I did some repairs on a really clean 1963 37 foot Chris Craft cruiser and it really woke me up to what a lot of work you can run into deep down identifying a small surface problem.
This boat being a freshwater boat all its life and one owner was clean but it was rotting from the top down. Rain water penetrated the cabin top and leaked down the side of the frames and rotted areas of them.
A small runabout would be far less work than a cruiser but if it was sitting out in the weather rain water is a rotting killer.
If you have a heated shop and need a winter project for the next 5 years and are prepared to use the original boat as just a pattern Go for it.

This is a Crazy project here.
A few years back I did some repairs on a really clean 1963 37 foot Chris Craft cruiser and it really woke me up to what a lot of work you can run into deep down identifying a small surface problem.
This boat being a freshwater boat all its life and one owner was clean but it was rotting from the top down. Rain water penetrated the cabin top and leaked down the side of the frames and rotted areas of them.
A small runabout would be far less work than a cruiser but if it was sitting out in the weather rain water is a rotting killer.
If you have a heated shop and need a winter project for the next 5 years and are prepared to use the original boat as just a pattern Go for it.

This is a Crazy project here.




